Board 13!
The 133th chapter of LICC!

I knew we were totally 133t.

Anyway, sorry.

LAST TIME ON LICC...

The heroes of LICC got caught breaking and entering, were attacked, and totally whupped the behinds of the folx they were stealing from. Even sliced up the boss.

This doesn't sound heroic to me.

Now, they're enjoying a little R and R, D-narf has some things in store, but some goofy guys has something in store for him! Heh heh.

Anyway, incase any of the Pezzys want to come after me, bring it on. The recording room's on Basement Level 7 of the K-NIT TV-47 building, 2727 Nacirema Ave, St. Louis, Missouri. Don't worry about the blue hands that drop from the ceiling, they'll just take you to the beginning of the level. MUHAHAHA.

(The Pezzys break into the recording room at the Basement Level 7 of the K-NIT TV-47 building, 2727 Nacirema Ave, St. Louis, Missouri.)

Hey, there's nobody here!

The place is empty!

Except for this clock!

Must be something wrong with it it's counting 25, 15, 05, 6h...

Run!

Kaboom!

You put the timer in upside down????

*snore*

Hmm, pretty long commercial break.

Daisy Sunshine Spelling, the actress who plays Shadow Senshi on LICC, has been arrested for violating her shoplifting probation. What will this mean for her character on the show? We asked this former writer on the show.

Footage of Kathleen Beach putting her belongings into the back of her car.

It's over. The character will not be on the show anymore and EE said that scenes of her return will be removed to make room for more commercials.

Say, does the news staff need another writer. I have my resume right he...

Back to reporter and an inset photo of Daisy.

As she was being led away Miss Spelling said that she doesn't think this incident will hurt her chances in the California Gubernatorial Race.

The LICC team has been recouperating at the spa for a couple of days now, and finds itself in generally good health. Early in the morning, they all receive messages from the receptionist.

"Please congregate in the main lobby. A Mr. Daenaeraff Dnar'af wants to see you."

Wayne and Kent are piloting the Thunderwolf. A door slides open in the back of the bridge, and Quincy K. Rocket enters through it. The door closes.

Wayne: How's the redesign coming?

Quincy: Well, I've just about got everything set up. Unfortunately, a few components were damaged in the move, so I'll have to replicate them.

Kent: Nothing major, I hope.

Quincy: No. The necessary parts were fine. Its mostly a few ornamental pieces and a couple of compensators that need to be replaced.

Wayne: Good. (pauses) We should be at Omicron Theta in about 40 minutes or so.

Quincy: Fine. Let me know when we reach orbit.

Quincy turns around and walks back through the door that he entered the bridge from. The room he is now in is a laboratory, and it is much larger than could possibly be contained by the Thunderwolf.

A few more days, and my new armor should be complete!

Watch, he'll be completely invincible now.

"Like he wasn't before?"

Milkshake is the first of the team to arrive in the main lobby, where Dnar'af sits comfortably on an oversized sofa, waiting.

"Dnar'af, I need to tell you something before we go any further. What you had us do a couple days ago was, in simplest terms, a crime. We are not going to throw away our reputation and duty as crime fighters simply to get home faster and safer. Unless what you have planned is totally on the level, that's it. The deal is off."

Rikard enters, looking very very sleepy.
Milkshake: You okay?

Rikard: Oh yeah, I just didn't get much sleep last night.

Dnar'af nods in response to Milkshake's questioning.

"Certainly it would appear that way, wouldn't it? However, your crewman didn't have much of a problem with committing theft and later murder in pursuit of that ring he picked up."

I'd say taking an object to save someone's sanity is a little more noble than burgling a book to trade for a sensor array, wouldn't you?

I've talked to Keiran and Artsy, and Josh. Your buddy Nikaren seemed to be a homicidal maniac. Keiran regrets what he had to do, even more than I think he should. Now do you get me? No more crimes.

"A homicidal maniac, Commander, or someone defending their property? But worry not, your next task will have nothing do to in the way of larceny."

Fine. What then?

"I should point out that this was not what I originally had in mind for you to do, but the rather messy way in which your last task ended forced me to make some alterations in the plan. This task is going to consist of two segments, the first part will be carried out by all of you... the last, however, falls squarely on one member of your team."

The rest of the extended Away Team join the group surrounding Dnar'af in the lobby. Most seem rather sleepy-eyed.

Don't beat around the bush, Foolish Leader. What's our mission?

"Now that the rest of your group is here, I'll tell you.

"I will be taking you to a marketplace on the planet Naleed. Said marketplace is one of the best when it comes to finding elements for magical potions and spells, with rare and obscure items for sale. Your task will be to gather the ingredients for a potion that your resident magician, Butrfli, will concoct. If this potion is successful, I will restore your ship's cloaking systems."

That's it? We won't have to make Plutonium-Cyanide Soup, I hope. No matter, this seems easy enough.

Milkshake turns to the rest of the group

Everyone ready?

Just then, a pair of very tall orange legs steps up to Dnar'af. All crane their head up and recognize the Receptionist.

"Ah, Mister Daenaraff. Your account stands at 1440 gremloks. Cash or credit chip?"

Dnar'af briefly looks like he has inhaled a lemon. But he recovers and turns to the receptionist, credit chip suddenly in hand.

"I think this should do, nicely."

The extremely large spa-worker who took Keiran to the Healer's wing rushes into the lobby.

"Wait! Don't forget your warm face-flannels and citrus-dowala skin muds!"

The Receptionist grinds her teeth and takes the chip.

"Oh, a Vista HYDROGEN credit chip, yessir!"

She stalks off back to the desk, muttering.

"These things take forever to authenticate."

The transaction clears and the Receptionist hands the final bill to Dnar'af. He scans it for a moment, then looks at the assembled group.

"Who ordered 500 red tamana fruits?"

I'm ready!

(Produces a massive laser rifle)

Let's lock and load!

Oh... not that kind of mission is it?

Yeah, let's go.

What in Sam Hill is a tamana fruit?

Butrfli: Do you have a list for us so that we know what to look for?
I havn't really done much with potions, but if one follows the recipe right, it should come out correctly...
Jackson: Plus, maybe we can find some really interesting things for ourselves and those on the ship...
Butrfli: Yes, that too...

"Ensign Ceffiree to Commander Adon. Sir, our new sensors have picked up something interesting in this sector. I have the readings in Main Engineering if you'd like to review them."

"I do have such a list." Dnar'af produces, seemingly out of thin air, a piece of paper that looks much like it could have been pulled from the Rune. The paper is rolled and tied with some twine. He hands it to Butrfli. "This should give you a clear definition of everything you need, and the right quantities. You may note that the market only accepts hard currencies and trade goods, so you may want to make sure you have enough of those before starting out. I have a... perhaps you could refer to it as an office... only two blocks south of the market, and I can be reached there for questions. Also, while this mission isn't perhaps the most secret that has ever been staged, it would be best if you kept your profile as low as possible. Any additional questions before we go?"

So, you're making us pay for this stuff ourselves?

Keiran steps up with Artsy, still betraying the tiniest trace of a limp.

"We did eat all those tamana fruits." he says in response to Rikard.

Adon enters Main Engineering.

Well, what did you detect?

Jackson: What sort of currency do they accept? Stuff from their dimension, or do they take any sort of money from any place?
Butrfli: I should probably make a copy for everybody.. and an enchantment that will remove any item from the list that anybody has bought...
Butrfli begins to chant, and her wand glows. Soon, a scroll just like she has appears in the hand of every team member.

Something very odd, sir. This is pretty close, about 2 light-hours away, and came up immediately once our new sensors were installed.

Ceffiree pulls up the first sensor readings on the Main Situation Board. A triangular frame, glittering with lights, holds steady in the void.

Sir, this frame is much larger than the Spidermobile, and seems to be completely stationary. I didn't think much of it, until I saw this.

Ceffiree opens another reading. A streak of light zooms out of the distance, passes through the ring and disappears in an instant into the depths of space.

What looked like an energy beam was actually a starship, best as I can figure out. It's traveling about half the speed of our Bad News Drive, and that's very fast. I recommend we investigate the object, per your approval, sir.

Adon pressed a few buttons, and a local starchart appeared.

Coincidentally enough, it is almost inline with the nearest friendly planet. Very well, alter course and lets investigate this thing.

"You should be able to make most purchases using standard precious metals or gems. Gold, silver, platinum, and the like. There is no universally accepted artificial currency. Last questions before we leave, please."

There is no universally accepted artificial currency

Not even the Terran Express Card? Don't leave your home planet without it!

I also carry Visa Multiversal. It's what I usually pay my catalog bills with.

"Any customs we need to know about? Any lodgings available where we can create our little potion?"

"The market takes in such a large influx of peoples that there is no central cultural tenet I can teach you to follow. You'll have to have your wits about you. As for a location, I believe the 'offices' I have procured will do an adequate job. In fact..." Dnar'af produced a second scroll and handed it to Butrfli. "Here are specific directions on how to get there from the marketplace.

"There is one additional piece of information you might do well with. The Naleef marketplace will be closing at noon the day following your arrival for a series of ritual holidays. These holidays last a week, so I think it would be best if your ingredients were gathered by then."

All right. Let's go, then.

"If you're all ready..." With a ZAP! Dnar'af transports the group across the distant light-years to the planet of Naleef. They materialize on a street at the edge of the marketplace proper, and before them is a rather remarkable sight. Beings of every conceivable description (and many inconceivable ones) are clustered in a large open square, packed to the brim with buyers and sellers. The fringes of the market are bustling as much as the interior, with food vendors, musicians, and small theatre troupes staging impromptu performances on the street. There is activity everywhere, a fact made all the more impressive when the heroes get a bearing on their surroundings and find that they've arrived a little after the local dawn.

"Isn't it a glorious cacophony?" Dnar'af says, even smiling a bit. With that, he turns and heads in the opposite direction.

"Happy shopping!"

Milkshake scowls.

Something's fishy about this whole situation. Why does he need us to make his recipe? Keep on your guard, folks.

"Maybe he's a terrible menace around here and wanted fugitive. He hangs around too long, the whole place goes nuts or something." Rikard shrugs, "I'm sure we'll run into something bad. We always seem to."

(On the other side of the marketplace, the X-Pendables have just gotten further instructions from Kronides)

Just buy these ingredients before LICC does? (He glanced at the items on his PADD) It sounds so simple I just know something catastrophic is going to happen.

Okay, try to avoid using your powers unless you need to. When finished let's all meet back here at... (he glances around) Sirius Morpheus, Oracle & Gatekeeper. That big sign should be easy to spot.

(They head into the marketplace)

(sniffs the air)

Aaaaaaah, is that the delightful smell of Pervect cooking I smell.

(several people around her turn green and look like they are about to throw up)

Hope I have time for lunch later.

When we go to buy something, ask the vendor and those around him about our friend. Also... Are you sure we aren't in the Deevil dimension? From what I've read, they have a really large marketplace, too.

We have to buy everything that they need? Every single item? And we have to make sure that they don't get any of it? I hope everyone brought more cash than I did.

Keiran, if somebody doesn't accept our currency, you could always use a Jedi Mind Trick.

*sigh* Can you still do that these days?

Well, no, not really. The longer I've been with the LICC the less I've been able to use Jedi powers. I think the Force isn't that compatible with this dimension.

Maybe so... But that seems to be quite a recent thing. I can remember a time LICC was full of Jedi. But then, at almost the same time, all the jedi stopped being jedi. It's almost as if some power beyond our control objected to the use of jedi in this universe and put a stop to it.

Oh, well, probably nothing. An unstable universe like this one has a right to fluctuate in strange and unpredictable ways.

(Due to a production error, the entire image is reversed for a brief shot)

That's exactly it. The Force is just one of many strange, powerful, unexplained forces out there. In dimensions like this, they come and go at will.

Rikard raises his hand.

"I can still do it."

Delgado emerges from the Captain's Ready Room, somewhat bleary-eyed.

"Does anyone know where a guy can get some coffee around here? And did Commander Adon ever show back up?"

Adon steps out of the shadows right behind Lt. Delgado.

He's standing right behind you.

Lt. Delgado jumped. Adon chuckled, and a cup of coffee floated off of a cart someone had rolled onto the bridge sometime earlier.

Well, what did you find.

A wooden nickel, half a ham sandwich, and the corpse of some guy named Jimmy Hoffa.

"I can still do it." Rikard remarks.

Morgan sort of half-smiles.

"Oh, well then, guess it's just me."

Delgado takes a moment to make sure he's all in one piece. He appears to be.

"I checked the mainifest for any reference to the cultural database. I found that apparently my PADD was transformed into a series of encyclopedias, spanning 47 volumes. I haven't opened the actual bag yet to see if I can find any of them, though. I'm gonna need this coffee first..."

Hello mah baby hello mah honey hello mah ragtime gal!

The little creature in the coffee cup blinks and smiles at Delgado.

Large person! I hope you won't be angry, but I hitched a ride on your very large spaceship because my natural habitat was destroyed by that huge rift thingy! And I found this very nice bath, and absorbed all media records you have on computer, which is why I sing like Michigan J. Frog. Could you please drop me off at the nearest planet with hot springs?

*cough* *cough*

The party turns around to find a very small bearded merchant standing behind them.

Welcome, strangers. I'm selling those nice leather jackets. Interested? From what I see you're really in need of some decent clothing. Please have a look. Wanna drink something? There's nothing better than battery acid.

Hello mah baby hello mah honey hello mah ragtime gal!

Hey, that's MY line!

Come on, let's find that stuff.
Jackson, Alex, and Butrfli wander off to search for supplies. Along the way, Jackson notices a small weapons and armor shop. He also sees a smaller sign mentioning that it is a Cybertec outlet.
Hold on, I'm going to check something out.
Entering the shop, Jackson sees a number of weapons from a dozen different dimensions. He steps up to the counter.
Salesperson: Yes, may I help you?
Jackson: I saw that this is a Cybertec outlet. I have an account, and would like to get new armor.
Salesperson: Step this way and let me show you our latest.
Jackson hands over his card, and the salesperson slides it through a slot in a door. A green light goes on, and they both step through. Inside is a plethora of ultramodern weapons, armor, and computers. Soon, Jackson is suited up in the latest cyberarmor.
Jackson: Thanks, just put it on my tab. By the way, have you heard of a person named Dnar'af?
Salesperson: I know the name. From what I've heard, he's known for sending people on strange quests for odd objects. Soemthing about wanting to rule the universe or something...
Jackson: Thanks.
Jackson leaves and rejoins his little group.
Alex: Nice suit.
Jackson: Yeah, Cybertec is amazing. By the way, I have some news...

Answering Sheik Furby,

"Ah cool! Got any in black?"

What does it matter what color the battery acid is? Doesn't Rikard know it would be fatal no matter what color it is?!

Poke-A-Man appears and runs up to where Commander Adon and Lt. Delgado are standing.

Commander, it appears that the retro-technology effect that hit us had an adverse effect on 12 of 10. I was asked to go see where she was since no one had seen her since before the incident, when she was working in Botany Lab 2, and I found her lying comatose in one of the Jeffries tubes. It appears that her X-CW-X parts have been transformed into plastic and metal parts, circa the late 20th or early 21st century, and the change had an adverse effect on her system!

Poke-A-Man

Real name: Ashley (Or `Ash' for short) Last name unknown, but its NOT Ketchum
Age: Mid-20's
Race: Terran

Position in LICC: Poke-A-Man is essentially a blueshirt. That is, he works as a blueshirt when not fighting crime, but isn't really a blueshirt.

Powers: Poke-A-Man's index fingers are twice as long as those of a normal human being's.

Skills: Poke-A-Man is trained in martial arts. Particularly in the use of hitting pressure points to disable an opponent. (He would be absolutely useless as a hero, otherwise)

Weapons: Poke-A-Man carries various grenade-type weapons stored in compartments built into his belt. These grenades enlarge to full size when removed from the compartments, and resemble objects called Pokeballs, which have something to do with a disease from the late 20th\early 21st century called `Pokemon'.

After a bit of searching and haggling, the various little teamlets have acquired three of the items on the list.

Milkshake finishes bargaining for the fourth and switches on his radio as the vendor wraps the ingredient up carefully in brown paper.

All right, cross 'Greenflower Stems' off the list. And has anyone seen anywhere that 'Dark Ghost Pigment' can be found, whatever that is?

"Someone told me that you were the leading seller of Dark Ghost Pigment."
The vendor that Rikard is speaking to nods.

"I was but I just sold my last three vials to that guy." He points to an individual walking away, who happens to be Protoplasmick. "He might sell one of his."

Rikard nods at the vendor.
"Okay, thanks." He turns to catch up with Protoplasmick.

"Hey, wait!" the vendor yells, "How about some Jansti grub fluid? Almost as good!"

Rikard makes his way through the crowd and eventually catches up to Protoplasmick.
"Excuse me," he asks,"But you bought the last of the Dark Ghost Pigment from that vendor over there. Would you be willing to sell me some?"

Get her to sickbay immediatly. And someone phone ahead to Waldodoc and let him know the situation. And make sure you keep me updated on her condition.

Adon turns towards Lt. Delgado.

We need to start hitting the books. I'll be in the Ready Room looking through your encyclopedias if anything else happens.

"Um, sir, I haven't yet located the encyclopedias. They have to be located inside the bag first. That's why I needed that coffee. Speaking of, do we have any without dancing, singing frogs?"

Jackson: What's next on the list?
Alex: Tamerian Boisentree extract.
Butrfli: I think I saw a vendor nearby.
Butrfli leads them to the vendor. Unfortunatly, the vendor has sold the last of the extract to another customer. She points them to the person, who
happens to be Devil Girl.
Jackson: Pardon me, but we have need of some of that extract. Would you mind selling us a flask or two?

"I'm no frog, unattractive giant! I'm a Jelluuoeejniinhhdddhhhjiiiannnssssskrriicckkkaiisnll'd'd'd'd'haaelaeraraefikinikisikian."

What extract?

(Jackson explains)

No, I didn't buy any Tamerian Boisentree extract. Maybe the clerk confused me with an Imp or a Deevil?

(turns to Rikard)

No. Sorry I need them.

Rikard: All of them?

I... I'm afraid so.

Rikard (using Jedi Mind Trick): I think you could part with one of them.

I think I can part with one of them.

(Rikard pays for the flask and walks away. Mick snaps out of the trance)

What the...

Oh, man!

(Mick creates a duplicate of the flask from his protoplasm and alters his appearance to a little kid and runs toward Rikard)

Gangway! (he bumps into Rikard and quickly switches the fake flask for the real flask and runs off into the crowd)

That fake should last for about five or so minutes before reverting. Let's hope it's long enough.

Actually, Commander, Rocket Ranger was alerted of 12 of 10's condition. He sent over a stasis pod from the Thunderwolf, which was unaffected by the disturbance that screwed up technology. 12 of 10 has already been placed in the stasis pod. Rocket wants to know if you think we should leave it here, or move it to the Thunderwolf, in case anything else goes wrong with the ship.

Oh, stranger, nice to have you back in one piece. The kids here are very annoying, yuck!

Why do you want a black jacket? There are soo many other beautiful colors in this world. For example, look here, here - isn't this nice? You can even smell the Q-uality! Pure lavender! Nearly new! If you are really interested then I could sell you the matching cape, trousers and boots too! Only 47 Hyrkanian Sdjfrflöhilhkups! That's the best price ever! Credit cards not accepted

Look, the previous owner even wrote this note:

Puts on big glasses and reads.

"Some people may find it tacky but I really love my lavender clothes! Heisenberg's Law may be with you, always!"

Now, what do you think? Have a drink and look around!

He hands over a small bucket containing a very suspiciously looking liquid. Green bubbles and small animals (very large bacteria?) swimming around seem to indicate that it is not battery acid but something else. It smells horrible.

The Furby merchant shows his best grin.

Butrfli whispers to Jackson
Keep her busy.
Jackson, to Devil Girl: It's hard to mistake an Imp. I think you're trying to keep the extract from us for some reason.
While Jackson speaks with Devil Girl, Butrfli has gone behind Devil Girl and is about to inject her with a hypospray...

(Devil Girl's tail snaps the hypospray out of Butrfli's hand)

Trying to poison me? Not very friendly. Fire up!

(a column of flame shoots skyward carrying Devil Girl into the air and she uses her batlike wings to manuever back toward the rendezvous point. However Butrfli takes off after her. As Butrfli nears her, Devil Girl turns and points her pitchfork at her.)

Look lady, I don't want to have to hurt you, but I will if you don't leave me alone.

(Mick sees the stream of fire shoot up into the air and across the sky as Devil Girl flies away and he also sees Butrfli take off after her)

*sigh* The catastrophe has started.

(he begins racing back toward the rendezvous point)

Winged Girl vs. Winged Girl!

Pitchfork vs. Staff!

Fire vs. Magic!

Who will win? Who will lose? Will their costumes survive intact?

Find out... after this word from our sponsors.

I'm sorry, but we really need that extract.
I suppose I could find a substutite...
Butrfli, in midair, opens the scroll and begins looking down the list. When she gets to the extract, she chants. She checks the list again, disappointed. It seems that the extract is the only thing that will work.
By the way, I was not trying to poison you. The hypospray just would have made you sleep for a few minutes.

Rikard looks down into the drink and grimaces.

"Um, no thanks," he says waving it off,"I'm sure some of your other customers would love some. Anyway, I like black. I think it's a cool color. And I'd rather not have a lavender jacket. You see, I had this friend... never mind, do you have a jacket in black or what?"

At this point, the flask of Dark Ghost Pigment reverts back to its protoplasmic form.

"What the- Ah man! I bought a fake flask from tha guy! Now I'm going to have to find him again and-." At that point he notices the large trail of fire with the young lady at the end of it with Butrfli not far behind.

"Whoa, that's interesting."

The Buffalo Soldier looks up, seeing Devil Girl flying away with Butrfli in pursuit. He smiles.

"Oh yeah! Time to get this show started. Come on sweetheart, let's catch Protoplasmick. Then we can kick some LICC butt!!" Chamelea gives the Soldier an annoyed look as he begins to walk away. She grabs his arm and twists it behind his back.

"Don't call me 'sweetheart,'" she growls. She lets him go and begins to head toward the rendevous point. The Buffalo Soldier follows.

Jackson speaks into his communicator.
Steve, we may have a problem. There's another group of people trying to get the same stuff we are. Butrfli's going after one of them. glancing into the sky I don't think they're hard to spot.
Another thing, I found a Cybertec dealer here. You might want some new armor. I have a feeling we may have a fight on our hands...
Jackson out.

Milkshake sets his radio for widecast.

Alright, everyone, you've heard Jackson. We have some competition. Pick up everything as quickly as possible and let's skedaddle. If the others want to make a fight of it, defend yourselves but do not, repeat, do not endanger innocents.

The Thunderwolf seems to be in better shape than the Spidership right now. Take her there. If worse comes to worse, they might be able to take her to a planet with proper medical facilities.

But I don't want the Thunderwolf to leave unless nessessary. I don't want to attract any unwanted attention from Dnar'af if we can help it.

Understood, Sir. I'll go inform the Thunderwolf and help make preparations to move her.

Poke-A-Man pauses for a second.

By the way, Kent is sending over some extra medical supplies that were stored away in the Thunderwolf's tessaract, just in case we need them. Nothing major, though. Mostly first aid gear and pain relievers. They should be in Cargo Bay 3 within the hour.

Poke-A-Man salutes Adon, then walks off.

Artsy has been doing her best to procure the ingredients for Dnar'af's mysterious 'potion', but a search of vendor after vendor has left her disappointed. The market is a riot of sights, sounds, and smells. Somewhere along the line she has become separated from the rest of the League. Occasionally she spots a team member, but just as quickly they are lost in the shuffle.

The sun is beating down hard, and she takes shelter for a moment in the overhang of a nearby building, in a relatively quiet part of the marketplace. A hue and cry suddenly erupts nearby as a crate kept by an animal vendor tumbles over and crashes open. Tiny little animals with very long teeth, upset by the disturbance, begin to streak here and there through the market, raising shouts and quite a commotion. One streaks directly toward Artsy, who, hair and eyes flashing abruptly turquoise, jumps backward out of reflex.

The brightly lit marketplace suddenly disappears. A wall is inexplicably directly in front of her. She looks about in surprise. It almost seems like she has jumped directly into a building, for she is in a sparsely decorated hallway with many doors leading off. She extends a tentative hand forward. Yes, the wall is intangible, and she can feel the heated air of the market on the other side, stark contrast to the cool darkness inside the stone structure.

Two voices filter in from somewhere. One is unrecognizable, but the other, to her surprise, is Keiran's. She traces the voices to a door off the hallway, and listens in for a moment.

"Yes, indeed, it is possible, but one will only appear within oneself. And there is a limit." A quiet little voice declares.

Keiran, still unseen by Artsy, responds. "How long? I need only a few days."

"A few days, yes, certainly possible. Any farther, very dangerous. But this will not be imparted without large price."

"How about this?" Keiran asks. There is the rustling of fabric. "Speak the name of this world to activate it."

"Falkshaja." replies the voice, and then there is a gasp of surprise. "Wonderful, wonderful."

"Will it cover your price?" Keiran asks.

"Of course. I will fetch it. Remain here." There are footsteps that recede off. Artsy makes a choice and steps into the room.

Keiran stands in a small room crowded with objects and artifacts, some very ordinary-looking, some amazing and glowing with power. He starts when he catches sight of her.

"What are you doing here?" he asks, hoarsely.

Before Artsy can answer, a hulking man in flowing black embroidered robes comes in, carrying an artifact. It resembles a crystal in size and shape, but appears somehow made of glossy wood and black stone. Its facets shimmer with an odd unnaturalness.

"Keiran, what are you doing, what is this place?"

Keiran shakes his head. "Artsy, there's something I have to take care of. Now don't worry, just go back to the market and I'll join you in a little bit."

The large man peers myopically at Artsy. "Two to travel? Very risky. Dangerous enough for one."

"No, she's not coming. Artsy..." Keiran steps forward to motion her out.

"What danger?" She asks, concern turning her a greyish-blue.

"Traveler, you must hurry, or the energy will be lost!" the robed man speaks, pushing the odd 'crystal' forward towards Keiran.

Keiran looks at the man, then Artsy, then extends his hand. "I'll be right back." he says.

This was too much. Worried, Artsy reaches out and grabs hold of Keiran's shoulder just as his hand touches the crystal.

There is an incredible bright light that fills her vision, and a stomach-turning sensation, caused by...what? There seems to be no reality in the universe that occupies her senses for but a moment. And then, the brightness fades, replaced by dark, and shouts, and sounds of combat.

She stands staring at Nikaren, who is kneeling on the damp forest loam with a look of hatred, whirling his magical chain. She gapes for a minute, realizing what's coming next, and turns to see Keiran, instead of attacking with his lightsaber, diving bodily into the menacing Nikaren.

In the next seconds, the ring and chain go flying, striking a tree and causing an explosion of magical energy that knocks over everyone around, including Artsy. Keiran is pushed off balance, and Nikaren delivers two vicious blows, one to his face and the other to the scorched mark on his chest. Keiran grunts in pain, falling nervelessly on his back. Artsy struggles to pick herself up, shouting his name. A glint of metal shines in the darkness as Nikaren, seeking to press his advantage, retrieves a knife from under his robes.

Artsy pushes herself back up to her feet and darts forward with a frantic urgency. The world around her seems to slow to a crawl as she sprints toward the villain. At the final moment, she turns sideways and crashes shoulder-first into Nikaren, her added super-speed bowling him completely over, sending him tumbling into the forest darkness.

She runs over to where Keiran is lying, dropping on her knees to check on him. He is deathly pale, but is still breathing. "Is this what you wanted?" she asks, tears coming to her eyes.

He opens his mouth to answer, but his pained wheeze doesn't permit his voice to return. She takes his hand, and in that moment his eyes widen in surprise. She has barely enough time to turn and see the onrushing Nikaren.

"My ring!" he screams, and is nearly on them when a bright red beam of energy strikes him squarely on the side. Nikaren's freezes in staring hatred for but a moment, then his gaze turns glassy, and he falls over, completely unconcious. Artsy gasps in surprise. After a moment, Rikard approaches with a cracking of twigs and leaves, his phaser in hand. Artsy can see even her hands glow a faint yellow in relief, turning her attention back to Keiran.

He swallows once against a dry throat and speaks. "We did it. Artsy, I...I'm done with killing. I didn't want to have to live with it again."

And then the world erupts once again in that blaze of terrifing power, and they are both back in that cluttered room, with the robed man nowhere to be seen. Artsy and Keiran are just as they were but a relative moment before. They look at each other, without speaking.

Another retcon??? Have these people no respect for continuity?

So you claim, but I have no interest in finding out if you're telling the truth or not.

(Devil Girl lobs a few fireballs past Butrfli to try and make her back off)

And even if it was just a knockout drug how would you know if it was safe for my species?

Dnar'af can see Butrfli and Devil Girl duking it out above the skyline before him. It isn't a sight he particularly relishes.

You'd think a team of such crack superheroes would have picked up on the idea of tact... He muses. This little outburst, plus halving the man back on Ryli... Dnar'af's concentration wavers, as he suddenly sees a new memory, with Keiran and Artsy standing before an oncoming Nikaren, who is suddenly felled by Rikard's phaser blast.

Wait a minute...

You want the truth? I'll show you the truth!
Butrfli begins chanting and conjurs up a spell designed for brief telepathic contact. Concentrating, she telepathically sends Devil Girl a brief summery of what's been going on. When the contact ends, Butrfli speaks up.
So you see, we need to gather the materials if we want our ship back to technological greatness again...

Rikard apprises Milkshake of the situation thus far

Hold on, Number One, I'll be right over there. Oof!

A sprinting Protoplasmick barrels right into Milkshake, who picks him up by the scruff with one hand.

Hey there, kiddy. That's Dark Ghost Pigment ya got there, innit?

Milkshake grins

"No, I only want one Kuberian frog tongue. I don't need six."

The vendor shook his head, "Only in six pack."

"What the frell am I going to do with six amphibian tongues?"

The vendor shrugs,"Sell them?"

"No way, no WAY!! I am not paying for six. I'll find them somewhere else."

The vendor smiles,"I'm the only one that sells them."

Rikard shakes his head,"No you're not." The vendor only smiles back at him. "You're not, you're just saying that." The vendor shrugs.
"Fine, how much again?"

You'd think a team of such crack superheroes would have picked up on the idea of tact...

Hellooooooo? You expect a bunch of people who wear loud garish costumes and give themselves ludicrous codenames to be big on tact???

The only thing tactful about superheroes is the fact that they don't wear neon signs saying, "Look at me! Look at me!"

If you wanted tactful you should have hired a special ops team.

Oh, boo hoo. Your ship needs repairs. Call Maaco!

As for truth... Inferno veritus memento!

(a burst of flame erupts from her pitchfork and envelopes Butrfli, but instead of being burned, she suddenly experiences Devil Girl's memories of being saved/plucked from her homeworld, Kronides promise to return her when she has done her part to save other dimensions and what Kronides said about Dnar'af)

So which 'truth' do you want to believe?

Hey! The announcer promised a chick fight! I wanna see the clawing, the hair pulling, the costume ripping! They haven't even touched yet! Get to the good stuff!

(from out of the TV comes a ball a flame and a blast of magic to zap the sleazy viewer)

(Protoplasmick looks at Milkshake and screams in a little kid voice)

Heeeeelp! I'm being molested!

(several big merchants and customers come over to Milkshake & while he's temporarily distracted by them, Mick makes himself intangible, then turns himself into a rubber ball which bounces into the air, then changes to a Krelldonian snatchbird and flies over the crowd with the vials of Dark Ghost Pigment clutched in his claws)

When the ball of fire disspates, Butrfli blinks and looks at Devil Girl with a new expression.
That does put a different spin on things, doesn't it? Well, there's only one thing to do about that...
Butrfli raises an arm, causing Devil Girl to ready her pitchfork, but Butrfli only raises her wrist communicator to her mouth.
Butrfli to all LICC personnel, we may not have been told the truth about our mission. We may need to gather with others and discuss it.
Looking up at Devil Girl
Would you be willing to gather your team and meet my team so we can discuss this like rational beings?

"I'm not sure you should do this."
Roger Acosta, aka the Buffalo Soldier, stands in a fairly secluded area, his fellow X-Pendables shielding him from the view of the customers around him. This is a good thing for him since he is pointing a rifle up into the sky, toward Butrfli.

"I'm not gonna kill her," he says to the concerned Asturot, a sorceror in the (roughly translated) Order of the Crinto (his planet's equivalent to an eagle),"I'm just going to wound her; get her off of Devil Girl's back. She'll be stunned but she'll live. Unless her species
shatters like glass."

With Butrfli in his sights, he moves his finger to the trigger...

A Krelldonian snatchbird! Priceless feathers!

It takes only a tiny fraction of a second for him to produce a "missile launcher" scroll from under his cloak, ready and aim it at the bird.

Come to daddy! Hahaha! Mine, mine, mine!

He fires a heat-seeking level two magic missile at the Protoplasmick bird. Oh-oh.







Obviously the Furby merchant wasn't the only one with this glorious idea. At least 47 other missiles, pieces of fireworks, enchanted stones, cursed pitchforks and other interesting things are racing upwards. More flak than at Schweinfurt.

It looks bad.

Really bad.

Somebody is going to lose more than just a few feathers I'm afraid.

Oh-oh, again.

Watch your six!

Now it is the right moment to PANIC!





Hey, waitasecond! What the heck is happening now? The hot fireballs must have created somekinda nasty magic interference so that all the bird hunting devices change course towards Butrfli and Devil Girl.

Darn! Missed him!

Missed him by THAT much!

A mysterious voice speaks from out of nowhere, before Buffalo Soldier can fire. Only he can hear it, however....

I wouldn't pull that trigger if I were you. Especially if you value your life, friend.

I think we may be in trouble...
Butrfli moves and tackles Devil Girl in midair and then begins to chant. Just as the various things hit the two, a shield erects around them. When the barage ends, Butrfli moves away and says
I'm sorry if I made you nervous in any way. Another few seconds, and we would have been toasted, roasted, and generally dead. I knew only one of us would have the opportunity to shield us, and I was just a bit quicker, I guess.

Roger looks up at his fellow X-Pendables.
"What was that?" he asks. His companions look at each other in confusion.
"What was what?" Chamelea asks.
"What did you guys say?"
"We didn't say anything."
"Yeah, that's what I thought." The Buffalo Soldier raises his rifle again, aiming toward Butrfli. It's at that point that she grabs Devil Girl and creates the shield, saving them both. The Soldier hesitates.
"Wait a second," he says, a little puzzled,"She just saved Dev. Um, let's wait for Mick to get back."
Asturot points upward at an approaching bird.
"There he is."

The voice speaks to Buffalo Soldier again.

My friend, YOU are an idiot! First of all, only you can hear me, so shut up, or your friends will question your sanity. And second....I TOLD YOU NOT TO FIRE THAT GUN!

Meanwhile, underneath Butrfli & Devil Girl is a humble fisherman selling magic fishes. After the magic missiles & everything explode on Butrfli's shield all that burning magical debris falls onto his shop. There's a tremendous magical explosion and as the fisherman is hurled into air toward a nearby lake, he can be heard to say, "Arrrrrr, I'll get ye, Mrs. Pepperman!"

(Mick turns back to himself and lands and hands the vials to Asturot for safekeeping)

What the fnord just happened? Who knew snatchbird feathers were rare here? In my dimension they can't give the things away.

(meanwhile up in the air Devil Girl hits her X communicator*)

There seems to be some confusion about the truth. Butrfli thinks we can get together and discuss it. What do the rest of you think?

(to himself, Mick thinks) Think? I think it's quite possible Kronides is lying & using us, but if he is how long will we live with that knowledge? (however Mick remains silent until he hears what the others have to say.)

* Buh duh dum!

Jackson, who has been listening to Butrfli and Devil Girl's exchanges on his communicator, speaks to Milkshake, who has by now arrived at his position.
Steve, I think we can stop gathering things for now. It sounds like we may not have been told the entire truth...

Why do I not doubt that? All right, Jackson, see if we can call a shopping-truce for a minute until we all hear what these powered folks have to say. Milkshake to team, regroup in the square just east of market center.

Jackson relays the message to Butrfli, who gives it to Devil Girl. Meanwhile, Alex is looking at his list.
I wonder.. what kind of potion would we have come up with if we had made it? It's lucky that I'm right near a potion booth.
Alex walks up to the booth and shows the list to the vendor.
Excuse me, but if I were to mix these ingredients into a potion, what sort of potion would I come up with?

"Hmmmmmm... this is a very unsusual potion indeed... Several arcane ingredients and techniques... Let's see..." The potion master examined the list for a moment.

"As near as I can tell, the potion would be used to break an enchantment that had been placed on an object." She handed the list back to Alex. "I can't get you much closer than that, I'm afraid. But I've got a great selection of caulderons you could use!"

Alex: Thanks for the information about the potion, and no, I am in no need for a cauldron at the moment.
Alex pays the vendor with the change he happens to be carrying in his pocket and wanders over to the next booth. In the booth, he spots what appears to be a living furry musical note. It begins singing.
Alex: What is that thing?
Vendor: It's called a treble. Want to buy it?
Alex: Maybe later...
Meanwhile, Jackson and Milkshake are waiting in the square for the others.
Steve, I have an idea. I can go back to the Cybertec dealer to see what they can do about the Spidership. Maybe they can bring it back up to date...

Hey wait! I've also got this!

He holds up what appears to be a fish shaped like a musical note.

It's called a bass!

The Buffalo Soldier looks at the X-Pendables.
"Are you guys hearing this?"
"Hearing what?" Protoplasmick asks.
"I'm hearing a voice. Twice now. And it's not very friendly," he says,"Or smart for that matter. They told me not to fire my gun after I had already lowered it."
"Maybe it's all in your head," someone says. Roger shakes his head.
"I don't think so. It sounded real. Maybe someone's using telepathy to mentally speak to me or something. Can any of you find out who it is?"
Kaon Tatun, a mouthless and naturally telepathic Wentarian nods. "I will try," he signs, using body language,"No guarantee."

The voice speaks again.

Pardon me, but I was also carrying on a conversation with someone else who also had their gun aimed at someone they shouldn't have. But, unlike you, they chose to ignore me, fired, and suffered the consequences. It is hard to carry on two conversations at once, so I transmitted the same message to both of you.

The voice pauses.

And I would advise you to tell your Wentarian friend to not even bother. You see, I am also naturally telepathic, but I have also had special training that gives me....enhanced abilities. His telepathic search would prove fruitless. But if you wish to know.....

A familiar figure dressed in green robes and a hood, with most of his face disguised beneath a mask that appears to be carved from a large piece of malachite and only his mouth and a green goatee visible, appears next to Buffalo Soldier and his group.

....My name is Ojanon.

"One, that is one of the worst excuses I have ever heard to cover one's own-"

Chamelea interrupts,"Roger!"

He continues,"Two, I'm not your friend. Three, I'm glad that you have 'special training.' Joing the club. Four, I didn't listen to you. The only reason I didn't fire was because that woman saved one of my colleagues. I was only gonna stun her anyway."

"Are you finished?" Protoplasmick asks. Roger ignores him.

"And finally, I don't appreiciate having my life threatened. Don't do it again."
"Now?" Chamelea asks. Roger nods. "Okay, good," she says as she turns to Ojanon. "Can we help you with something Mr. Ojanon?"

"So, you have red Anbey weed, blue Anbey weed, and green Anbey weed, but no black?"
The vendor that Rikard is speaking to motions "no" in his culture's way.
"Black is rarer and usually more expensive. I'd go with green if I were you."
"Green," Rikard asks, a little skeptical,"Are you sure? It would actually work in, say, a potion."
The vendor nods. "Yeah, it should give you a good result."
"Okay, I'll take your that jar there." He points at one of the jars and pays. He works his way through the crowd to meet up with Milkshake and co.

"Hey Commander. So what's going on? What was all action over here about?"

One. I don't care what your opinion is. And for the record, the other person I was talking to is no longer among the living...if anyone cares. He should have listened...Ever seen what happens when someone shoots into a Reflecto-Field at almost point blank range with a Mark VII Stealth-Blaster? Not pretty!

Two. Point taken.

Three. Obviously your `special training' didn't involve diplomacy or politeness. (Thinking to himself: *sigh* Why can't people give their warriors at least one course in etiquette? Is it really that much to ask?)

Four. I didn't know that. Never seen that particular model of weapon before, so I was not aware it had a stun setting. I prefer to err on the side of caution.

Five. I wasn't personally threatening your life. I was warning you because anyone who shoots a member of LICC is likely going to have to deal with ALL of them, and that's not something you'd want to have happen.

Ojanon looks at Chamelea and smiles.

Well, at least one of you has the sense to be polite. (pauses) The woman with your colleague happens to be the wife of the former leader of a crimefighting organization known as the League of Intergalactic Cosmic Champions. So unless you and your group happen to be some sort of criminal deviants, you have nothing to worry about from her.

Ojanon gives a `Say something and I'll spit it your eye' type glance in Roger's direction, while waiting for a response.

And I'm simply here to watch, as I said. I have...no dog in this fight, I believe is the proper term?

Alex, still talking to the vendor
So nobody's bought the treble I've seen, huh?

Alex glances at the bass
Yes, but can you tune a fish?

In cold space perhaps 30 light-minutes from the Spidermobile, a small, stable wormhole opens. It remains active for only a second, depositing a small metal object in space, before collapsing.

The metal object remains stationary for barely a second, then begins accelerating towards the Spidermobile at Warp 2.